Glenn Ford plays Martin Eden, an aspiring writer who signs on a merchant ship as a sailor. Tormented by the ship’s sadistic captain (Ian McDonald), Eden survives the voyage, determined to write an expose of his horrible experiences. At first opposed by the maritime authorities, Martin’s book becomes a best-seller. Its publication results in punishment for the wicked captain and the exoneration of a sailor (Stuart Erwin) accused of murder. Based on Jack London’s semi-autobiographical novel, Adventures of Martin Eden earned a minor niche in media history as the first major-studio film to be released to television.